The Emerging Case for Herbal Medicine + Why You Should Care

If you were to ask someone a thousand years ago why they take passionflower to help ease sleeplessness or ashwagandha to deal with stress, the answer would likely have been, “Because it works.”

That explanation may have sufficed back then, but these days, we require much more background on the underlying mechanisms of any type of supposed health remedy. Fortunately, modern herbalists have a wealth of science and information at their fingertips. And when that scientific insight is combined with the knowledge and wisdom of our ancestors’ time-tested herbal toolkit, it’s possible to get a much clearer picture of how herbs work — and which ones might most benefit you.

Keep reading to better understand the true power of herbs, the key differences between herbs and prescription drugs, and why all of this truly matters when it comes to achieving your best health.

When Ancient and Modern Wisdom Collide

Ancient herbalists didn’t have the benefit of medical technology to examine a plant’s impact on human cells under a microscope or the scientific method to compare an herb’s efficacy to that of a placebo. Instead, they relied on what they did have: An intimate relationship with nature, a keen sense of observation, and rich traditions passed down from generation to generation.

“There’s other information outside of the scientific method that’s valuable, and in this case, it’s observation,” explains Dr. Bill Rawls, Medical Director of Vital Plan. “People have been using herbs for thousands of years, observing which ones have an effect, and writing down and passing along that information. Pharmaceuticals don’t have that important history; vitamins and minerals don’t either.”

Today, modern herbalists have the advantage of both hindsight and science, and the research on herbs’ restorative powers is growing at a rapid rate. Search “herbal medicine” on PubMed, a database of biomedical literature maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, and you’ll get nearly 60,000 results.

Much of this research reveals valuable how-it-works intel about different herbs. For instance, a study in the Journal of Natural Medicines on andrographis, an herb native to India, found that it helped inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting it could make for an effective anti-inflammatory agent. A second study in Pharmaceutical Biology showed that certain carbohydrates in cordyceps, a mushroom long used in Chinese herbal medicine, help reduce oxidative stress caused by excessive physical activity.

These findings are impressive, yet they hardly scratch the surface of what scientists have discovered thus far about herb’s far-reaching, health-supporting properties.

The Difference Between Drugs and Herbs

We’re learning more about the mechanisms behind herbs’ benefits every day, and they are some key distinctions between drugs and herbs. For example:

“A fundamental difference between drugs and herbs is that drugs are single chemicals, whereas herbs are a complex mix of phytochemicals, biochemical substances produced by the plants to protect against cellular stress factors,” says Dr. Rawls. “So when you’re studying drugs, you’re studying one thing; with herbs, you’re looking at numerous compounds working together in synergy, and that makes it hard to isolate what’s doing what.”

The complex nature of herbs helps explain why the Food and Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate their safety and efficacy. “They simply don’t have the funding or bandwidth,” says Dr. Rawls. “Plus, we find the chemicals in certain everyday herbs to be very complementary to our physiology. Probably the best evidence of that is that so many herbs actually enhance liver function; whereas most drugs on the market challenge liver function,” says Dr. Rawls.

Case in point: Prescription drugs have historically been a leading cause of death in this country, according to findings in JAMA, whereas the number of herbal disasters you hear about is almost nonexistent, despite nearly one in five Americans taking them, notes Dr. Rawls.

Still, He points out that both the FDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) do regulate herbal supplements when it comes to ensuring that you, the consumer, get what you pay for. “They make sure supplements don’t make false claims about their benefits, and that what’s advertised on the label as being in the supplement is actually in there — there’s huge value in that.”

Why Herbs and Humans Get Along So Well

There’s a chemical balance between plants and people that has likely been there since day one, says Dr. Rawls.

“We’ve co-evolved to survive the same environmental stressors,” he explains. “Plants create various phytochemicals to remain healthy and strong: phytoestrogens or plant hormones to help them grow; antioxidants to help prevent cell damage and aging; antimicrobials to defend against disease-causing microbes. And humans have been eating those plants for millennia and gaining some benefits of the phytochemicals as they circulate through our bloodstream and tissues.”

Unfortunately, the human diet today is largely lacking in vegetables and herbs and, ultimately, powerhouse phytochemicals. Thanks to the industrial revolution and modern farming techniques, we’ve switched to a diet based on grain and seeds, and these plants are bred for quantity, size, and caloric density — not nutritional value — so they’re nutrient-deficient and overloaded with carbohydrates. We also feed seeds, soy, and corn to our livestock, diminishing the level of phytochemicals that used to transfer to us when we consumed meat.

Everyday Herbs to Cover Your Phytochemical Bases

“All of this — the lack of nutrients and reliance on grain-based foods — really points to the necessity of supplementing our diets with herbs to ensure we get those essential phytochemicals our body needs,” says Dr. Rawls.

Some of Dr. Rawls’ top everyday herbs to promote cellular wellness are listed below. The first five herbs in the list can be found in Dr. Rawls’ Daily Herbal formulation designed to promote all-around health and longevity.

Turmeric

A vibrant, yellow-orange spice used in India, China, and Southeast Asia for thousands of years, turmeric contains an abundance of beneficial health properties. It supports the liver and nerves and offers potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, to name a few.

Rhodiola

Considered an adaptogen, rhodiola helps the body adapt to stress, improves stamina and energy levels, promotes cognitive functioning, and supports memory, learning, and attention.

Reishi

A medicinal mushroom, reishi is an immunomodulator, meaning it facilitates a healthy immune response, and it also contains adaptogenic properties to aid in handling stress.

Gotu kola

Known as a brain and nervous system tonic, gotu kola revitalizes the brain, fosters a healthy mood, bolsters cellular health, and offers immune, and antioxidant support.

Shilajit

Not technically an herb, shilajit is a compact, gummy matrix of herbs, mosses, fungi, and other earthly matter, and it must be processed and purified before use. It boasts a range of benefits, such as fostering immune and reproductive health, increasing endurance and resistance to stress, and improving gut health.

Milk thistle

Native to southern Europe and North Africa, milk thistle contains antioxidants that support liver health and bile flow and assists in maintaining adequate glutathione levels in the liver cells.

The Bottom Line

Although herbs can help replace the missing nutrients and protective phytochemicals from your day-to-day health regimen, it’s important to remember that they’re just part of the equation when it comes to achieving wellness. “Herbs should be used in tandem with lifestyle changes to reduce stress, minimize exposure to toxins, increase movement, and prioritize sleep,” says Dr. Rawls. “It’s only when you combine all of these elements that you see the most profound health benefits.”